Stewardship Book: Ask, thank, tell

The goal of this book, says author Charles Lane, is to perform a dramatic rescue of stewardship, freeing it from any connection whatsoever to "paying the bills."  When the Bible talks about stewardship it almost always talks about the intimate connection between how a person handles financial matters and that person's relationship with God. Stewardship is an intensely spiritual matter that lies close to a disciple's relationship with Jesus.
The book is designed especially for use in congregational planning and study. Congregational stewardship leaders will come back to three foundational verbs — ask, thank, tell — over and over as they help individuals experience the joy of giving generously. The author makes the convincing case that there is little in life today that can help a disciple grow in relationship with Jesus more than a solid intentional biblical stewardship.

video: What God says about giving

A free reflection video on what God says about giving

Also available for viewing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DNePyYodZs

A giving skit

A giving skit was written to support the Portland-Heywood Lutheran Church in helping it disciples grow in the area of biblical giving.

You can access the skit here

Stewardship/Giving video: Living to Give reflective video

Living to Give video helps people connect how their giving is connected to God's ministry and mission to them and through them.   

Stewardship resources for financial tough times

When financial tough times arise church communities are presented with both a challenge to ministry and mission and an opportunity for ministry and mission.   

Following are some resources, thoughts and ideas to help church leaders and their communities to intentionally prepare for ministry in financial tough times

Let's Talk - Living theology in the Metropolitan Chicago synod

The ELCA and the Economic Downturn by Nicholas Zook
Economic Downturn and the Church’s Mission to Serve by Lauren Sanders
The Unexpected Struggle of LVC by Mark Van Scharrel
Be My People! by Liala Ritsema Beukema
Vision, Mission, and Recession by Yehiel Curry
Rods and Blessings by Robert Klonowski
Stewardship in Hard Economic Times by Dan Ruen
Stewardship Strategy by Frank Senn
Not the Way to Show Compassion by Ben Dueholm
“Religionless” Again for the First Time

The Lutheran magazine
Stewardship during an economic crisis

ELCA
Stewardship


Tyndale University and Seminary

over 50 resources and papers including
McLaren, Brian. "Two Kinds of Economic Recovery," Sojourners Magazine, Feb. 10, 2009.
Brueggemann, Walter. "From Anxiety and Greed, to Milk and Honey. Biblical faith invites us out of self-destruction toward God`s generosity and abundance," Sojourners Magazine, Feb. 4, 2009.
Williams, Rowan, Archbishop of Canterbury. "On the Financial Crisis" (Sept 27, 2008; also: "Knowing our Limits," in Crisis and Recovery: Ethics, Economics and Justice [Palgrave Macmillan, 2010], pp. 19-34).
Marty, Martin. "Trust in Uncertain Times." Audio podcast. Speaking of Faith. MP3, 14:52 min.
Duchrow, Ulrich. "The Financial Crisis in Biblical and Theological Perspective" (Univ of Heidelberg; author of Alternatives to Global Capitalism Drawn from Biblical History)
Boff, Leonardo. "Is the Worst Yet to Come?" (Nov 29, 2008; and also Oct 3, 2008)
Lutheran World Federation, Executive Committee. "Pastoral Message Concerning the Global Financial Crisis" (Oct 24-26, 2008).
Childs, James M. Greed: Economics and Ethics in Conflict. Fortress, 2000.
Claar, Victor V., and Robin J. Klay. Economics in Christian Perspective: Theory, Policy and Life Choices. InterVarsity, 2007.
Moe-Lobeda, Cynthia D. Healing a Broken World: Globalization and God. Fortress, 2002.
Maybe we should blame God for the Subprime Mess (Time, Oct 3, 2008, on the Prosperity Gospel)

World Vision
Biblical wisdom for a financial crisis 

Pastor Richard Schwedes Portland Heywood Lutheran Church
By September 2010 our congregation was facing a shortfall of $20000 in offerings should trends continue.   Following prayer, some research (some of which suggested that congregations who had intentional good biblical teaching on money and stewardship are less affected than those who don't when conflict and financial problems arise) and study we undertook some teaching and encouragement titled Blessed to Give in October. 

The teaching took place over four weeks as follows
  
Week 1:  Blessed to give together

Genesis 12:1-3

Psalm 24:1

1 Peter 4:10-11

Acts 2:42-47

Week 2:  Blessed to give focussed on eternity

Psalm 121

Colossians 3:1-4

Philippians 3:17-21

Matthew 6:19-20

Week 3:  Blessed to give God's way

Leviticus 26:1-11

2 Corinthians 8:1-12

Luke 21:1-4

Week 4:  Blessed to give for God's work among us and through us
Galatians 6:6-10

Philippians 4:14-16

Matthew 25:13-30 


These teachings was supported by a brochure containing the reality of our situation, some further texts for reflection and encouragement for members to be intentional in their giving, some testimonies and encouragement to use regular electronic giving.

Fortunately and as a result of God's grace by December giving in our congregation improved and we met our budgeted offering for the year.


If you have further resources that you believe will help congregations and leaders when faced with financial tough times please email these to me at schwedes@ozemail.com.au so we can share them with others....

Stewardship: Lenten Study

Free Stewardship Lenten Studies are available at Lenten stewardship devotions 

Free Stewardship Resources from Sola Publishing

Based on Luther's Love, Serve, Praise and Obey Sola Publishing is offering free resources to assist congregations in teaching and growing stewardship in their congregation.
Resourcs include:
a. Color Theme Poster
b. Bulletin Insert-Devotional
c. Children's Story Page
d. Giving Plan Card
e. Sample: Time and Abilities Sheet

Go to http://solapublishing.blogspot.com/p/stewardship.html for more information

A giving brochure

The Lakes Evangelical Church has a simple brochure that explains why and how to give....To look at a copy of this brochure visit http://thelakes.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/Giving-Pamphlet-BW.pdf

Dealing with a gift

Many people this year will receive gifts.

In Australia a considerable number of people will receive a sizeable gift of money from the government in order to stimulate the economy.

The following handout gives you something to think about in how we can view gifts as Christians...http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgjf3bcp_3frh96xc8

Living through the World's financial crisis

Recently I wrote an article called Down but not out, you can view part of the article here, that appeared in the Lutheran magazine November 2008 (Lutheran Church of Australia's national magazine)

If you would like to buy this magazine or subscribe to the magazine go here

There is also an accompanying bible study, which is available here that is suitable for individual and group study.

God bless
Richard Schwedes

Monthly Feature: Stewardship

Say the word stewardship and automatically racing through many people's minds are many different thoughts....and not all of them biblical or healthy.

Unfortunately in some circles the term being a good steward and stewardship has been used to justify not spending money...in this case the person who does not spend money is seen as a good steward (even if people are neglected) and the one who does is seen as a bad one (even if there intention was to bring God's love to someone)...well that may sound right in some people's ears but it is not consistent with scripture check out Matthew 22:17, Mark 7:9-13, Luke 3:11; 12:32-48; Romans 13:6,7; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4; James 2:14-16; 1 John 3:17,18; 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

Others view it only from the perspective of money...however stewardship involves far more than just cash...it involves all the resources in our lives...both tangible and intangible.

Here are some helpful definitions of stewardship:

• The root meaning of the biblical word for stewardship is “the management of a household”, usually on behalf of someone else.
• The believer’s response to the creating, redeeming and sanctifying love of God.
• A way of life that includes the way we manage our whole redeemed lives and possessions.
• What we do after we say “we believe”.
• Caring for all that God has entrusted to us.
• The fruit of saving faith.
• The church in mission.
• The way we use the resources God has entrusted to us for the purposes to which the Lord has called us.

Following are some resources and links to resources and web pages that may help you as you reflect on, share and guide others in what it means to be one of God's stewards:

Pastor Greg Priebbenow of St Paul's Box Hill Lutheran Church has notes and thoughts on Stewardship available, which he prepared from reading a number of resources relating to stewardship. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of these notes, feel free to email him at greg.preibbenow@lca.org.au

Joy Lutheran Church theology of Stewardship suggests that stewardship is a growth process and that the growth stages in Christian Stewardship are:.

1. We learn to “WORSHIP GOD”!
2. We learn to “DO ACTS OF LOVE”!
3. We learn to “LIVE A CHRISTIAN LIFE AS OUR VOCATION”!
4. We learn to “BE FREE TO GIVE”!

ELCA stewardship site is from the perspective that stewardship is:

• everything we do after we say I believe.
• Making a faithful response to God’s grace, gratitude and generosity
• About money, but not only about money
• Helping others grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through the use of the time, talents and resources entrusted by God

they offer a range of resources including stewardship programs, sermon starters, stewardship newsletter, stories, financial response resources, mission approaches, fundraising and a year round approach to stewardship.

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod stewardship site aims to nurture God's people into maturing stewards who freely and joyfully manage all of life and life's resources for God's purposes. You will find on this site.. Amongst the many resources for stewardship you will discover resources for stewardship, Biblical stewardship principles, a workbook, guidelines for fundraising, power point presentations and web casts.

WELS stewardship site...has details about setting up a stewardship program, resources relating to stewardship for worship and sermons, bible studies, planning resources and articles relating to stewardship.

Stewardship of Life Institute mission is to serve stewardship in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through its seminaries. This site offers a large range of resources relating to Stewardship including humour, Stewardship 101 (basic introduction), sermons, papers and essays, meditations, prayers, liturgies, illustrations, ideas, programs and a weekly newsletter..

Messiah Lutheran Church Madison connects stewardship and spiritual gifts, encouraging us to know what resources God has given us...so we will be willing to use them.

Ontario Stewardship Network offers material from 2 workshops Stewardship 101 and Stewardship of Creation...

Sermons from Seattle offers a stewardship bible study and sermons

Stewardship Connection is a site of stewardship resources either compiled or used by Dr Eugene Grimm. On the site you will find details about:

• His services
• The Celebrate Generosity Stewardship Program: bya four-week Bible-based program that invites people to move toward and beyond a tithe in their giving. Based on 1 Corinthians 16:2, it celebrates both God's generosity and our generous response to God.
• Stories to Tell & Gifts to Share
• Generous People resource
• Details of teaching tithing
• Plus a lot more

Generous Giving aims to motivate followers of Jesus Christ toward greater biblical generosity. They are aiming to transform people for revolutionary generosity. Their message proclaims the joy of giving—not out of duty or guilt, but out of gratitude for salvation in Christ. A large number of resources relating to money, giving and stewardship.

Luther Seminary Stewardship resources has a large data base of articles, web site links,
books, videos, audio presentations, short stories, quotes and more!

Thrivent financial resources offers a range of programs including a Financial Education Curriculm, Simply Giving and Giving plus program, that can help individuals and congregations.

Concordia Publishing house offers a range a resources for individuals, children and congregations

Augsburg Fortress provides a range of resources to encourage stewardship and to help congregations develop a stewardship program.

CSS has three stewardship programs available for preview

Some more resources and books to be posted shortly

Book: Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace

by Miroslav Volf



A 256 page book on how we can be transformed by the God who gives abundantly and who forgives unconditionally.

From the Back Cover
We are at our human best when we give and forgive. But we live in a world in which it makes little sense to do either one. In our increasingly graceless culture, where can we find the motivation to give? And how do we learn to forgive when forgiving seems counterintuitive or even futile? A deeply personal yet profoundly thoughtful book, Free of Charge explores these questions and the further questions to which they give rise – in light of God’s generosity and Christ’s sacrifice for us.
Miroslav Volf draws from popular culture as well as from a wealth of literary and theological sources, weaving his rich reflections around the sturdy frame of Paul’s vision of God’s grace and Martin Luther’s interpretation of that vision. Blending the best of theology and spirituality, he encourages us to echo in our own lives God’s generous giving and forgiving. A fresh examination of two practices at the heart of the Christian faith– giving and forgiving –
In 2006 the Anglican Church in England used it as its Lenten Study

Stewardship: 10 biblical princliples

Stewardship is part of the Christian Life.......it is therefore part of mission (Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms... 1 Peter 4:10)

The Evanglical Lutheran Church of America has produced a simple, easy to understand and attractive flyer of what it means to be a Christian steward, a Christian caretaker......

• Respond gratefully
• Obey responsibly
• Sacrifice proportionately
• Give willingly
• Share abundantly
• Give proportionately
• Commit Intentionally
• Contribute regularly
• Live geniunely
• Accept a challenge

To view this brochure in pdf form visit

http://www.elca.org/stewardship/images/stew%20flyer%2006.pdf